Time Off

"You can do this," I told myself. I stripped out of my yellow expedition jacket, wool cap, gloves, fleece layers, tights, rain pants and long underwear–down to my bathing suit. I was ready to step into the frigid South Atlantic Ocean off Deception Island to become a member of the Antarctic Polar Plunge Club.

Searching for something special to give family, friends or business associates this holiday season? Business Jet Traveler has rounded up gift ideas for everyone on your list, from the gadget junkie to the chocoholic to the luxury hound.

The Stafford Hotel in London's tony St. James district has been welcoming guests since 1912 in a building that dates from the 17th century. Visitors come not just for the first-rate lodging, but for the facility's inimitable American Bar. You should, too.

The Flexjet 25 Jet Card program–which provides 25, 30 or 35 hours of flying time on Bombardier aircraft–is offering a bonus to customers who sign up by January 31: a getaway to Los Cabos, Mexico, created by luxury travel consultants Abercrombie & Kent.

The National Geographic Channel recently spent two weeks filming at the Bombardier Learjet plant in Wichita for its Megafactories program. The show, which explores the inner workings of factories worldwide, will introduce viewers to the steps involved in making one business jet. The channel expects the episode to air early next year.

It's now possible to golf at any of 400 private clubs, thanks to Boxgroove, a Web-based service that allows members to sign up for available tee times at participating U.S. venues. Depending on your membership (basic membership is free), a round of golf starts at approximately $90 per person.

Originally from the Champagne region of France, Chef Philippe Jeanty has long been a Napa Valley fixture, having opened the restaurant at Domaine Chandon back in 1977. After more than 20 years as executive chef at that premier spot, Jeanty decided to launch his own place and, in 1998, Bistro Jeanty was born.

Even many of the world's savviest travelers have yet to discover pristine Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, two sleepy but thoroughly enchanting islands 15 miles south of Newfoundland. They swirl in fog and mystery and boast the anomaly of being France's last foothold in North America.

Quote/Unquote

““When I made the film The Invention of Lying, they gave me a private jet for getting back and forth between New York and London. I thought, ‘I will never use it’ but I ended up using it every weekend. You turn up, right, and the airport is completely empty. I mean, there’s just someone at the desk and then the pilot, who says, ‘Are you ready to go?’ and you say, ‘Don’t you want to see my passport?’ and he goes, ‘Oh yeah, I suppose I’d better.’”
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